Solemen Comes to the Rescue Turning Around the Lives of One of Bali’s Most Impoverished Extended Families

Founded in 2010, Sole Men Indonesia (Solemen) is a non-profit foundation seeking to help severely disadvantaged people of Bali.

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Working with accredited agencies and projects that ameliorate human suffering and support the disadvantaged in Bali, Solemen provide health and safety education, while seekin to respect and protect the environment.

Run entirely by unpaid volunteers, Solemen is well known for their urgent intervention in cases of almost unspeakable suffering, using a tried and tested hands-on approach to assist those so destitute that they sometime fall outside Bali’s rudimentary safety net.

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Sole Men’s ‘OUTREACH’ crew searches out and are able to react immediately to assess and action the alleviation of individual cases of suffering. This often means driving immediately to the person or people who needs help and immediately taking them for assistance and, where appropriate, therapy and/or medical treatment at one of their strategic partner units.

One year ago Solemen found 29 people sharing a small hovel and a single toilet in Denpasar. Eight were children were so severely disabled and impoverished that they spent their entire existence writhing on a dirty floor. Disabilities included muscular dystrophy and global developmental delay. Nearby, another family member, Ni Luh Indah, suffered from cerebral palsy.

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Solemen sprang into action by assessing the immediate and long tern needs of the family and undertaking fund-raising activities to ensure those plans came to fruition. What followed was medical treatment by specialists, physical and occupational therapy, and a balanced diet and wheelchairs - all combined to literally lift the situation of this large extended family.

Moving at full speed Solemen and supportive members of the community organized fundraising events at Hard Rock Hotel and Hard Rock Café in Bali, including a charity performance headlined by popular Indonesian’s bands Superman is Dead and Navicula.

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Despair was supplanted by smiles and hope. The family was removed from their squalid location and installed in new housing surrounded by permaculture gardens that provides sustenance and a modest income stream.

With help from Bali’s Governor Made Mangku Pastika, Solemen obtained a plot of land in Denpasar that has allowed the construction of two modest houses and supporting permaculture gardens. The house and garden have been designed for wheelchair access that allows participation in a whole range of activities for children who, only a year ago, spent their day reclined on a hard floor.

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The children now have a large play area and the government has agreed to provide transport to their free treatment centre at Yakkum Bali Rehabilitation Centre, with whom Solemen works closely.

Governor Paatika expressed his thanks to Solemen for bringing the sad plight of these families to his attention. The Governior's team has pledged to collaborate further in future projects with Solemen.

Solemen Founder, Robert Epstone said: "This represents the best possible outcome we could have hoped for these families. The quality of their lives will be further enhanced and now we can help others in need at our permaculture project. Solemen are delighted to see the government replicate our program to help more people in need."

Pictures on Balidiscovery.com, taken at the new housing with Bali's Governor and Solemen in attenndance, tell the story best.

Police from the Jembrana Police precinct undertaking roadside inspections at the Pura Rambut Siwi rest area in Mendoyo on Monday, July 7, 2014, managed to thwart an effort to smuggle 10 dogs from Java to Denpasar.

Bali’s strict anti-rabies law absolutely prohibits the import of pets into Bali.

The operation to stop the illegal smuggling of pets into Bali was led directly by the deputy head of the Jembrana police command Police Commissioner Hagnyono, the head for police operations in Jembrana Police Commissioner Ketut Sukarta, the head of the Jembrana traffic police Gede Sumadra Kerthiawan and the head of the Criminal Investigation division for Jembrana Gusti Made Sudarma Putra.

As reported by Metro Bali, the roadside inspection resulted in the discovery of 10 dogs hidden in a van with Jakarta registration plates and driven by Kioe Hasan (58) of Jakarta.

Taken into quarantine were 2 Rottweilers, 3 Bulldogs, 3 Chihuahuas and 3 German Shepherds.

Past confiscations of dogs being smuggled into Bali have resulted in the animals euthanization.In The killing of the pets brought a loud public outcry.

Police say the animals had no identification papers. The driver of the vehicle told police the animals were given to him to bring to Bali by a friend in Yogyakarta.

The Deputy-chief of the Jembrana Police Commissioner Hagnyono said his office would investigate how the dogs passed through the port of Gilimanuk without detection or if, perhaps, they were smuggled into Bali by some other route.

Five days after their confiscation, what has happened to the confiscated animals has become something of a mystery.

Police in Jembrana told Metrobali.com that the dogs had been handed over to quarantine officials, Meanwhile, the head of the quarantine office in Gilimanuk, Nyoman Budiarta,told the press the matter is in the hands of Denpasar officials. But, when the head of the quarantine office in Denpasar was contacted by telephone by reporters he told the press to check with the quarantine office in Gilimanuk.

When Metrobali.com pressed the head of the Denpasar Quarantine Office, Bagus Eka Ludra, he initially tried to sidestep the issue, referring the press back to the Gilimanuk office. When, however, he was confronted by the fact that Gilimanuk officials claimed the matter was now in Denpasar’s hands, Ludra relented, saying: “We are still gathering explanations and trying to determine who owns the dogs. If the animals cannot be sent back to Java, then they must be destroyed. I hope the owners understand this.”

Sriwijaya to Fly to Three New Chinese Destinations from Bali Stating in August

The Indonesian low-cost airline Sriwijaya Air is preparing to spread its wings with plans in August 2014 to add three new Asian cities to its list of destinations they serve.

Sriwijaya Air has announced plans to add Chongqing, Nanning, Fuzhou and Guangzhou - all in Mainland China as new destinations served from Denpasar, Bali starting in August 2014.

Quoted by Jakarta Globe, Toto Nursatyo, commercial director of Sriwijaya Air, explained the carrier's desire to expand its reach into the Chinese market: “Half of the China’s population is in the productive age, [so] there’s a potential market for the next 120 years. This is definitely a huge market and we have to capitalize on it."

Sriwijaya Air already operates flights from Bali to three Chinese cities: Hangzhou, Chengdu and Wenzhou.

Future plans call for new routes to be flown by the airline to Beijing, Giulin, Wihan and Shanghai, in addition to the four Chinese cities planned to join their network in August 2014.

Commencing operations in November 2003, Sriwijaya Air has a fleet of 37 aircraft serving 41 domestic and international destinations. The airline is planning to add two more airplanes before the end of the year.

The owner of the newly inaugurated Nam Air, Sriwijaya is now Indonesia's third largest airline after Lion Air and Garuda Indonesia.

The airline is targeting to carry 8.9 million passengers in 2014.

Put Him in a Lock-Up ‘till He’s Older

Indonesian Dive Boat Captain Sentenced to 3 Years Prison for Negiligent Homicide in the Death of 2 Japanese Divers

Agustinus Brata Kusuma, the Captain of a local dive boat that brought a group of Japanese women scuba divers on a diving expedition off Pantain Sakenen on Nusa Penida in which two of the divers lost their lives has been sentence to three years in prison.

Unrepresented by legal counsel due to a lack of funds, Kusuma was declared guilty of criminal negligence that resulted in the women's death.

The sentence was handed down in the Denpasar District Court on Tuesday, July 8, 2014.

In announcing the sentence, the Presiding Judge said the Captain's failure to keep careful track of his group of divers and the resulting 2 deaths and injuries damaged the reputation of Indonesian tourism. He declared that the Captain had failed to adequately plan and prepare for a voyage at a time of the month when seas were known to be treacherous.

The sentence handed down by the Court was half of the 6-year sentence sought by Prosecutors.

In accepting the verdict, Kusuma said, while weeping before the Court, that he would not appeal the Court's decision and begged forgiveness from the victim's families, claiming he had no intention to cause death or injury, but had fallen victim to weather conditions when the accident occurred on February 14, 2014.
Related Article

The Mulia – Nusa Dua, Bali Joins List of Top 101 Suites of The World by Elite Traveler

Elite Traveler's 2014 list of "Top 101 Hotel Suites in the World" includes the Oceanfront Marquess Suite of The Mulia - Nusa Dua.

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The annual selection is made by the editors of Elite Traveler and a panel of celebrity readers. The list provides a literal private jet flight plan to the world’s most spectacular accommodation. The 13th Annual Top 101 Suites of Elite Traveler magazine are exclusively distributed to private jets in over 100 countries, reaching over 630,000 Ultra High Net Worth individuals who are the world’s top travelers.

Elite Traveler is a private jet lifestyle magazine written exclusively for the elite affluent consumer. Each issue provides detailed information covering the spectrum of luxury lifestyle, including travel, fashion, jewelry, watches, spirits, autos, jets, yachts, and real estate.
The Mulia – Nusa Dua, Bali – a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, opened its doors on the February 1, 2013 and offers an all suite property located on the beachfront of the Nusa Dua coastline. The boutique concept hotel is a lifestyle retreat with the highest level of privacy and personalized service including individualized Butlers.

The Marquess Suite at The Mulia is a 2 bedroom suites with oversized bedrooms, plush bedding with 1,000 thread count linen, luxurious living rooms and dining area equipped with high-tech entertainment system. The suite is completed with a Jacuzzi on the patio for guests to enjoy the impeccable view of the beach and ocean, delicate bed runner, superb custom made carpets with a different in design for every type of suite, and custom ordered furniture.

The 111 suites range from 105 square meters up to 296 square meters with an option of a one bedroom suite that includes living area, and a glass sliding door that opens onto a full length patio creating an indoor-outdoor relaxing area or a one bedroom suite with separate living room tastefully furnished with carefully selected interior, plush bed, fine art and outstanding entertainment system.

The hotel’s sleek design and furnishings blend in harmoniously with the exquisite collectible art pieces. Application of a high ceiling and glass walls in most of the area creates a relaxing resort ambiance and sense of space.

“We now have a total of nine Holiday Inn Express hotels across the Southeast Asia and 16 more due to open in the region over the next five years. We’ve been delighted to see guests from across the region embrace the brand with such enthusiasm," added Tan.

Another Holiday Inn Resort will open In Bali in Q4 2014 with the Holiday Inn Resort Bali Benoa.

Counting the Damage

Devastating Fire at Seririt Traditional Market Has Affected the Lives of 1,200 Local Traders

The recent fire at the Seririt Traditional Market in Buleleng, North Bali is now estimated to have caused between Rp. 17-18 billion in damages (US$1.43-$1.5 million).

In all, some 1,200 small market kiosks were destroyed that generated a daily turnover estimated at Rp. 2million.

According to Bali Daily (The Jakarta Post), Made Suwena, who managed the market, said the fire has had a devastating effect on local traders, adding: “They are very shocked and feel hopeless. Their businesses were their livelihood. It has also disrupted the regency’s economic activity."

A distraught and crying female trader said, “I have lost all hope. I don’t know how my family and I can cope with this disaster.”

Director of Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel Missing for More than 2 Months Reemerges in Yogyakarta.

Wisnu Tjandra - a director in Tomy Winata's Artha Graha Group, that includes the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel in Bali and the Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta, who has been the object of a wide-scale police missing persons hunt since early May is apparently no longer "missing."
Jakarta Globe reports that Tjandra's family has withdrawn its missing person report filed with the police

In a press conference convened by police in Jakarta and attended by Wisnu's sister, Anastasia Sintowati and Agung Prabowo a director of Artha Graha - all declared that the missing man was safe and sound in Yogyakarta.

Neither the police, fellow workers or family members, however, have seen Wisnu Tjandra since he went missing, but all were satisfied that the man had not been kidnapped and had merely sought seclusion away from his daily existence.

Police had managed to track Winsu's whereabouts by tracing his hand phone.

Employees at an unnamed hotel had confirmed to police that the man was staying alone at the hotel and was in good health.

The family has withdrawn its missing person report from the police.

Meanwhile, Wisnu has reportedly sent a letter to his employers explaining his disappearance.

Anatasia told the Jakarta Globe: “He wrote that [he disappeared because of] a personal problem, and not a work problem or a problem with a colleague or family. Now that we’ve had contact [by text message] and through the letter, which I’m sure was written by him, I’m withdrawing the missing persons report that I filed earlier.”

Wisnu, who has worked with Artha Graha for 25 years and served as a company director since 2012, went missing on May 11, 2014.

In a letter to Artha Graha, Wisnu (51) apologized for leaving his job without permission, begged forgiveness and said he no longer deserved to be employed by the company.

The letter has been shown to his family who verified the handwriting as Wisnu's.

Head of Indonesia Chef Association Calls for Greater Role for Balinese Cuisine and Farming Products in Bali's Tourism Industry

The president of the Indonesia Chef Association (ICA), Henry Alexie Bloem, told Bisnis Bali on Thursday, July 10, 2014, the Bali's culinary tradition must be presented to Island visitors.

Bloem said the promotion of local culture in Bali still focuses on traditions and general culture, but pays inadequate attention to the culinary aspects of the Island. He argues that Bali's culinary attractions must be put on equal footing with its well know cultural and spiritual attractions.

The ICA chairman says tourists who come to Bali also want to sample Balinese food and learn local cooking techniques. Because of this, professional guides in Bali must be schooled in the basics of Balinese cuisine so they, in turn, can explain and introduce foreign and domestic visitors to the many wonders of the Balinese kitchen.

Bloem said the ICA works with local farmers, allowing many hotels in Bali to source 90% of their ingredients locally. At the same time, Bloem admitted that some ingredients not available from local producers, such as cream and salmon, must be imported from overseas.

The ICA president called on the government to educate famers on how to produce the quality items needed by Bali's hotels. He complained that produce supplies from farmers to hotels is irregular due to poor farm management techniques. Moreover, when harvest season comes and there is an oversupply, no means exist to properly handle and store farm produce resulting in excess production spoiling and remaining unsold.

Trained in the U.S.A.

Young Indonesian Hoteliers Signing Up by the Hundreds for 12-month On-the-Job Training Experience in the U.S.A.

Two leading U.S. hotels have established programs with two tourism-training institutes in Bali to recruit students for one-year training programs to provide international experience that will assist aspiring hoteliers in their career paths to senior management.

The Setai Hotel and St Regis Bal Harbour in Miami, Florida regularly send senior staff from their personnel departments to interview and enlist young hoteliers for a year of work and training experience in Florida. Using a J-1 Visa that facilitates work-study experience, the student selected for the on-the-job training-program work in the two award-winning hotels for 12 months and are paid between US$8-US$12 per hour, depending on position.

A practical or academic background in hotel work and a minimum degree of English fluency are required to qualify for these positions, with only half of the available 600 positions currently being filled.

The cooperation program with the U.S. hotels is now in its fourth year.

The students are recruited from Bali Hotel School (Sekolah Perhotelan Bali-SPB) and Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Bali International (Bali International Tourism Academy - STPBI).

Quoted in the Bali Post, a personnel officer from the Hotel St. Regis Bal Harbor praised the Bali trainees for their diligence and hard work, natural smiles, desire to learn and willingness to cooperate.

According to Drs, I Nyoman Gede Astina, chairman of the Dharma Widya Ulangun Foundation and director of PT Bali Duta Mandiri, who processes applicants for the overseas training program, said more U.S. hotels are headed to Bali in search of job training candidates. In September representatives of the Hotel Four Seasons Resort at Jackson Hole Wyoming will visit Bali to conduct interviews.

Students or hotel workers with a proficiency in English are welcome to register at PT Bali Duta Mandiri on Jalan Kecak No. 12, Gatsu Timur, Denpasar at the campuses of the two tourism schools.

Training slots are available to students of tourism academies and daily workers at hotels in Bali.

Lined Up for Take Off

Sriwijaya Air Seeking to Assume Old TigerAir Mandala Routes

The commercial director of Sriwijaya Air, Hasundungan Pandiangan, told NusaBali that the Airline has formally filed a request with the Indonesian Civil Aviation Department to be allowed to take over the domestic air routes abandoned with the closure of Tigerair Mandala Airlines.

Sriwijaya Air has filed its application with the Ministry of Transportation, a fact confirmed by Hasundungan on Tuesday, July 8, 2014.

Sriwijaya Air has asked for permission to take over the former Tigerair Mandala routes operating between Yogyakarta-Palembang, Yogyakarta-Pekanbaru and Yogyakarta-Singapore.

Hasundungan told the press that the entire aviation industry in Indonesia was saddened by the closure of Tigerair Mandala. Adding: "This (closure) shows there is something wrong with the condition of Indonesia's aviation industry and how it is regulated. We are optimistic that we can become an airline that will continue to healthily develop."

The Sriwijaya Air official said the new routes have been carefully researched by the Airline in terms of market demand that remains strong.

The chairman of the Indonesia National Air Carrier Association (INACA), Arif Wibowo told NusaBali that demand for air seats in Indonesia declined by 15% on domestic flights during the recent presidential elections in Indonesia.

On election day the frequency of flights reduced 15% due to reduced demand. Arif, who is also the CEO of the Garuda subsidiary Citilink told detikFinance.com that his airline experienced a 20% decline in demand for a two day period over the election period.

Airlines also experienced a similar decline in demand during the legislative elections held on April 9, 2014, but demand quickly returned to normal in the days after the vote.

Now with the elections behind the Indonesian public, travel is entering its peak period as the Nation enters the Lebaran Holiday period, typically the busiest travel period of the year.

The increase in the Visa-on-Arrival fee (VOA) in Indonesia from US$25 to US$35 dollars is being roundly criticized by many in Bali's tourism industry.

Bisnis Bali quotes Bagus Surya Dharma, the director of the Nusa Dua Bali Convex, complaining that the Presidential decree of May 30, 2014 and its implemented one month later was done without consultation with the tourism industry and with little socialization to those affected by the decision.

As a result, many tourists are complaining that they were not informed in advance of the increase in the VOA fee. Similarly, tour companies who have designed packages that include the visa fee have suffered a loss of US$10 due the increased visa fee that they will now have to absorb.

Bagus Surya Dharma, who also serves on the MICE committee (meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition) of the Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agents (ASITA), said the change in policy was done without any input from tourists or operators in the tourism industry. More to the point, the increase in fees was introduced, he said, in the midst of many complaints from Bali visitors about long lines at Bali's airport, unfriendly service from airport workers and illegal fees demanded by immigration and customs officials.

The chairman of the Bali Tourist Promotion Board (BPPD), Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati (Cok Ace), also expressed his disappointment with the increase in the cost of the VOA. Saying the timing of the increase was wrong, Cok Ace said any increase should have been preceded with input from the tourism industry and sufficient prior notification to tourist visitors,

Cok Ace, who also serves as the chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), said the recent influx of tourists diverting from Thailand should not be greeted with an increase in visa fees, but, instead, with a higher level of service.

Complaints are also heard from many sectors that the millions of dollars collected from VOA fees are all sent to Jakarta with no portion preserved for use by the province of Bali. While some of these revenues come back to Bali in special allocations from the Central Government, disaffection persists from those who claim the amount of money sent back to Bali is disproportionately small in comparison to the amount collected in Bali.

Bali Post reports statistics from the Central Statistics Bureau (BPS) shows foreign tourists visiting Bali in May 2014 stayed 3.36 days at Bali hotels, down 0.17% from the 3.53 day length-of-stay (LOS) recorded in April.

The chief of BPS in Bali, Panusunan Siregar reported the length-of-stay results to the press on Sunday, July 6, 2014, saying that the LOS for one-star hotels in May was 3.63 days, increasing from the 3.5 days recorded in the preceding month.

Two-star hotel reported a 2.97 days LOS in May, down from 3.90 days in April. Three-star hotels saw a LOS of 3.09 days in May, down dramatically from 4.27 days one month before.

Panusunan Siregar continued, reporting that four-star hotels in May recorded a LOS of 4.03 days, increasing from 3.6 days in April. Meanwhile, five-star hotels experience a LOS of 3.36 days, down slightly from 3.49 day in April.

Into the Darkness

Bali Suffers an Island-Wide Blackout on a Saturday Night, July 12, 2014

Bali experienced an island-wide power outage on Saturday night, July 12, 2014 that started just before 9:00 p.m. local time with electricity only returning to Sanur, in Bali’s south, at midnight.

The deputy spokesman for the State Power Board (PT PLN) for East Java, Arkad Matulu, blamed a “technical disturbance” for the power outage.

Quoted by the State News Agency Antara, Matulu said, “Electricity in Bali totally failed at 20:49 Eastern Indonesian time because of an interruption on the high-power line between Situbondo and Banyuwangi.”

As a result, Matulu explained, the submarine power line connecting Java and Bali with a capacity of 234.5 megawatts went dead causing a sudden imbalance in the Bali power grid and an island-wide blackout.

Power distribution began to gradually return to normal at 9:20 pm.

According to Antara, during the power black out messages began circulating via BlackBerry Messenger” with the rumor that the Pesanggaran Power generating center had been bombed. These reports were vigorously denied by PLN who called on the public not to be swayed by unfounded gossip.

By Sunday morning electricity was back to normal operating levels.

When Bali Schools Play Hookey

Bali Officials Claim Many International Schools in Bali are Illegally Established

Bali Post reports that many international schools in Bali are operating illegally without the required permissions from the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The presence of illegally established international schools in Bali was confirmed during a recent field survey conducted by the Education, Youth and Sports Service of Bali (Disdikpora).

“Based on observations in the field, we discovered many international schools in Bali do not have a license from the Ministry of Education and Culture. In response to this finding, the Governor of Bali has written to the Minister of Education and Culture asking that the provincial government of Bali be included in the process of licensing international schools in Bali,” said the head of Disdikpora-Bali, Tjok Istri Agung Kusuma Wardhani on Friday, July 11, 2014.

The survey conducted in Bali visited 25 international schools, most of which reportedly did not have required permits issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture to operate an educational institute. In the southern part of Bali there are 16 international schools in Badung, 8 in Denpasar and 1 in Gianyar.

Governor Pastika blamed the confused licensing situation for international schools in Bali on the failure of the Central Government to include the province in the supervision and licensing process.

Anticipating the negative impact of discovering that many Bali international schools are illegal, the Education Ministry is being asked to clarify the criteria and requirements for both international and national schools.

Clarification is needed on registering schools, employing foreign teachers and the acceptance of students. According to the Governor, this information would do much to assist the provincial government in monitoring school operations.

The Governor is seeking authority from Jakarta to evaluate the feasibility and need for new schools in the province and, once schools are opened, to monitor, regulate and evaluate their continuing operations.

In the meantime, Wardhani asked the Ministry of Education to take firm steps against schools in Bali determined to be operating illegally.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade is drafting legislation that will require “plain packaging” for alcoholic beverages containing between 20-55% alcohol and sold at hotels.

The legislation, if it comes into effect, will apply to both domestic and imported alcoholic beverages.

As reported by NusaBali, the Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi is keeping details of the legislation secret. The Indonesian legislation would follow a trend in other nations, such as Australia, for cigarette packaging that is intended to reduce consumer appeal for potentially harmful products.

Alcoholic beverages sold in Indonesia is divided into three categories:

Group A: Containing less than 5% alcohol

Group B: Containing between 5-20% alcohol.

Group C: Containing more than 20% alcohol.

According to the Director General of Domestic Trade, Sri Augustina, told the press that the governor of Bali has the right to control the distribution of alcoholic beverages via provincial regulations.

A Chinese Cultural Revolution

PRC Opens Consulate in Bali

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has opened a Consulate General in Bali.

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Headed by Consul General Hu Yin Quan, the Bali Consulate is the third PRC Consulate in Indonesia after Surabaya and Medan.

In 2013, 387,533 PRC nationals visited Bali in 2013. For the period January – April 2014 there were 191,433 PRC nationals visit Bali, a number 49.85% ahead of the same period in 2013.

The PRC Consulate is temporarily housed at the Hotel Ayodya in Nusa Dua

Bali Governor Pastika welcome the PRC Consulate in Bali, saying the consulate will help enhance diplomatic relations between Bali and the PRC. In this regard, Bali has already established sister-city relationships with the Provinces of Hainan and Yunan.

Pastika said he hoped the establishment of a PRC Consulate in Bali would improve Bali’s image in China and help curb unscrupulous tour programs being marketed to Chinese tourists.

Show on Balidiscovery.com is Governor Made Mangku Pastika receiving a souvenir gift from the Chinese Consul General to Bali Hu Yin Quan.

Urgently Looking for Alp!

Two Swiss Teenagers Arrested for Stealing at Beachwalk Shopping Center in Kuta

Two Swiss teenage tourists are in police custody in Bali accused of stealing from a Kuta clothing store.

Identified only their initials AH (16) and FJ (16), the two were arrested on Thursday, July 10, 2014 when they were stopped outside the Top Man Shop at Kuta Beachwalk at 12:00 a.m..

Earlier, a sales attendant notice the two talking clothing items and concealing them behind their jackets.

When confronted at the front of the store, a closer inspection found a women’s blouse, a pair of shorts, and a t-shirt taken form the shop without paying having a total value of Rp. 1.2 million (US$100).

The two together with the stolen items as evidence were taken to the Kuta Police Substation for further questioning and legal disposition.

And the Winner Is . . . .

Indonesia on Tenterhooks Waiting for Official Results of Presidential Election

Indonesians went to the polls on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, to select their next President. The campaign pitted Jakarta governor Joko Widodo against former-general Prabowo Subianto.

While the final “official” results will only be announced by the National Election Commission (KPU) on July 22nd, both presidential contenders point to different “quick count” tallies that they insist show them to be the winner.

Mainstream media and mainstream, “quick counts,” that include the State Broadcasting Authority, that suggest Joko Widodo’s won by about 5% are considered the most credible. Meanwhile, calls are mounting for complete transparency on methodologies used by quick count companies and at least one petition is circulating calling for the revocation of TV One’s broadcast license that has secured more than 22,000 signatures.
TV One, owned by Probowo supporter and Golkar chairman Aburizal Bakrie, has steadfastly refused to even report the “quick count” tallies suggesting Joko Widodo has won the presidential race.

The winner of the real count will be announced on July 22nd after which the final results are still open to an ultimate challenge before the now-dubious Constitution Court that just saw a former chief justice sentenced to life in prison for bribery in deciding cases brought before the court involving election results.

If appealed to the Court, a final decision in the election would be handed down by the end of August.

In the absence of a gracious concession of the race by one of the contending candidates, uncertainty and a certain degree of political tension will perists until July 22nd or, perhaps, late August.

8th Edition of Bali Meeting Guide

Latest Professional Meeting Planners Guide for BaliAvailable Now

The 8th Edition of the Bali Meeting Guide – also known as the Bali MICE Guide – is now available.

Printed in 12,500 copies and available soon in an on-line edition, the Bali Meeting Guide is the only comprehensive guide for decision makers in the meeting, conference, incentive and exhibition marketplace (MICE).

Bali MICE Guide contains detailed technical data on hotels and venues in Bali. The latest edition also presents a user's guides on recent improvements in the Island’s infrastructure, including the newly renovated Bali International Airport, the Mandara Toll Road and the Dewa Ruci Underpass.

The book is distributed without charge to qualified decision makers in the MICE industry.

The Hotel Amed Café in Abang, Karangasem on Bali’s northwest shore was destroyed by fired on Saturday, July 12, 2104.

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elieved to have been caused by an electrical short-circuit, the cost of the fire at the local seaside inn is put at Rp. 1 billion. (US$87,000).

The fire started at 5:30 a.m.in the “honeymoon suite” and quickly spread to the rest of the inn. Staff and local residents fought the fire with rudimentary equipment while waiting for a half-hour for fire fighters from the regional government of Karangasem to arrive on the scene.

High winds are blamed for the rapid spread of the fire. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.

The inn, classified as “melati” class, is owned by Ketut Alit Sidiyasa.
The blaze continues to be investigated by police and fire officials.

Suffering from Superficial Vision

$US5 Million X-Ray Detector Remains Parked and Unused at Bali Port of Gilimanuk

A sophisticated x-ray machine that cost the provincial government of Bali Rp. 60 billion (US$5.2 million) and was meant to prevent smuggling and terrorism at the West Bali port of Gilimanuk sits idle covered by a tarpaulin at the port.

Denpost reports on a page-one story that the machine has been unused for many months since its initial delivery two years ago and sits in the parking area of the port.

Why the machine remains unused is not clear. While staff have reportedly been trained in the machine’s use, some sources claim the machine’s high rate of radiation emission and its sensitivity to dust have caused the x-ray to remain unused.

The deputy chief of police for Jembrana, Commissioner Hagnyono said the machine needs a designated area far removed from passing traffic and pedestrians due to the radiation emitted by the equipment.

The machinery was delivered to the port in 2012 by the provincial government of Bali to the Jembrana Police.

As reported by Denpost, the machinery with a cost sufficient to build tens of school buildings has never served its designated purpose with officials still inspecting vehicle manually allowing the opportunity for animals, weapons, narcotics and other contraband to pass through the port.

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